According to a CNN article by Jen Christensen, a world-first experiment has been conducted. A human volunteer was given lab-made red blood cells by scientists. According to experts, it has significant potential for patients with hard blood types or illnesses such as sickle cell disease. The study could one day put an end to extensive searching for compatible donors as well as severe transfusion reactions.
Could lab-made blood cause complications, particularly for those with rare blood disorders?
Christensen, J. (2022, November 9). Two teaspoons of lab-made blood could have enormous potential for people with rare blood conditions. CNN. Retrieved February 23, 2023, from https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/09/health/lab-made-blood-scn/index.html
Lab-made blood is made as a substitute for natural human blood. It hasn't yet become widely available or established medical practice; however, while there are benefits to using lab-made blood, such as it should be compatible with human blood and that different blood types should not matter, lab-made blood is stored for over a year or more [1], Another advantage is it can last longer which will reduce the frequency of transfusion and avoid iron overload [2]. On the other hand, I can provide insights into potential risks associated with donating lab-made blood based on blood donation and synthetic biology principles. When introduced into the human body, lab-made blood components might trigger unexpected immune responses or other adverse reactions. The risk of such reactions could be more significant than with natural blood components due to the novelty of the synthetic materials; lab-made blood might not fully replicate the complex functions of natural blood, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery, waste removal, and regulation of bodily functions; lab-made blood components might not interact with the body's natural clotting and vascular systems in the same way as natural blood which could lead to issues such as increased clotting risks or improper circulation; The production of synthetic blood involves complex biochemical processes, and the presence of impurities, toxins, or contaminants could pose health risks to both donors and recipients [3].
[1] Sarkar, S. (2008, July). Artificial Blood. Indian journal of critical care medicine : peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738310/#:~:text=Artificial%20blood%20is%20a%20product,carbon%20dioxide%20throughout%20the%20body.
[2] Kale, S. S. S., Kode, R., Kuchana, S. K., & Kutikuppala, L. V. S. (2023). Breakthrough in the scientific world: Lab-grown red blood cells used in transfusions. Asian journal of transfusion science. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10180808/
[3] Garner, K. L. (2021, November 2). Principles of Synthetic Biology. Essays in biochemistry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8578974/#:~:text=Synthetic%20biology%20applies%20engineering%20principles,biologists%20working%20around%20the%20world.